A four-year-old boy is on the mend after being hit by a golf cart at the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade, a family-centric event marred by this unforeseen mishap, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. The incident occurred Sunday while the boy waited for the parade to start near Harper Avenue, south of 11 Mile Road, during which a witness described seeing the boy being hit by an apparently out-of-control golf cart and then lifted off the child by onlookers.
According to The Detroit News, the driver of the golf cart—a 75-year-old man from St. Clair Shores—was not under the influence and was not arrested. He was given a ticket, and his golf cart was impounded after the accident. The incident happened when he drove from a parking lot onto the sidewalk, hitting a boy and an adult. The driver stayed at the scene until police and medics arrived. City officials confirmed he was helping as a parade announcer assistant and did not cause serious injuries.
While the adult victim required no medical attention, the young boy was not as fortunate, sustaining a broken shoulder and necessitating hospital treatment, as confirmed by city officials and outlined in a report by Audacy. In the wake of the accident, the boy's mother took to social media seeking more information and expressing gratitude towards the community members who intervened, "From what I am hearing there were multiple men that stopped the golf cart, I just want to thank you, you saved my son's life," she penned in the community group spotlighting the collective quick action that potentially turned the tide of the event.
As the community processes the shock of such an event on a day reserved for reflection and honor, officials stand with the family, "Mayor Kip Walby and the entire city council extend their deepest well-wishes to the family and especially to the child, hoping for a fast and full recovery," underlining the importance of public safety; this sentiment echoed in the city's pledge, detailed in an Audacy report, to reassess the circumstances of the isolated incident and ensure that such unfortunate occurrences are not repeated in the future ensuring the well-being of all who come to share in the city's commemorations and festivities.
